Flat fold stroller

ABSTRACT

A folding chair includes handle frames, and front legs and rear legs configured to support the chair in an upright position. The front legs are pivotally attached to respective rear legs. A chair portion, includes a back rest, a seat and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat. Pivot frames are pivotally attached to respective handle frames, the back rest and the rear legs. Sliders are pivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respective arm rests and the seat and are configured to slide along the front legs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/682,018,filed Mar. 5, 2007, the entire contents of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

Exemplary embodiments of this invention relate to folding strollerswhich when in a folded state occupy a small volume of space and allowfor easy transport and storage.

2. Description of Related Art

Related art folding strollers have been developed to increaseportability by reducing a volume of space occupied by the stroller whenin its folded state. Reducing the volume of space occupied by thestroller in a folded state allows the stroller to be more easily handledby a user, decreases the amount of space required for storage when notin use and allows for easy transportability by allowing the foldedstroller to be easily placed in the trunk of a car, for example. Reducedvolume also decreases shipping costs, in an era when manufacturingfacilities are located globally and individuals utilize the internet topurchase goods.

Related art folding strollers may have a problem that the length of thestroller in its folded state is the same or even greater than when inits unfolded state. Because it is desirable to enhance portability,allow easier handling and reduce the volume of space occupied by astroller when in its folded state exemplary aspects of this inventionprovide a flat folding stroller that addresses these and/or otherrequirements

A related art stroller, known popularly as the MacLaren stroller anddisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,021 includes upper and lower X-shapedframe members which allow substantially identical side and leg membersto be collapsed to reduce the stroller's width. However, when in afolded state, the length of the stroller increases when the front wheelassembly is pivoted in a direction away from the rear wheels. Also,because the handle portion is pivoted towards the front wheels andextends past the front wheels, the length is extended even more. Thisincreased length in the folded state makes it difficult to store, handleand transport the stroller. Additionally, the overall cost of theproduct may be increased due to increased shipping costs.

SUMMARY

Exemplary aspects of this invention provide apparatus and methods thatprovide a stroller with enhanced portability, that occupies a smallvolume of space when in a folded state and that is easily handled by auser.

A stroller according to an exemplary aspect of this invention includestwo front legs and two rear legs that support the stroller in an uprightposition, two handle frames and two first upper sliders that slide alongrespective handle frames. An upper X frame includes two upper framemembers that are pivotally connected to each other at respectiveintermediate portions. Each upper frame member is pivotally connected torespective first upper sliders and to respective rear legs. Two secondlower sliders slide along respective front legs. A lower X frame memberincludes two lower frame members pivotally connected to each other atrespective intermediate portions. Each lower frame member is pivotallyconnected to respective second lower sliders and attached to respectiverear legs. Two pivot frames are linked to respective second sliders andpivotally attached to respective rear legs. A pair of wheels arerotationally attached to the front legs, and a pair of wheels arerotationally attached to the rear legs.

A stroller according to an exemplary aspect of this invention includeslower frame members with engaging portions that engage a respective rearleg to reduce the likelihood or prevent the stroller from folding and toprovide lateral rigidity.

A stroller according to an exemplary aspect of this invention includestwo back frames, two lateral portions rotationally attached torespective back frames and to respective lower legs, and a seat portionsupported by the back frames and the lateral portions.

Exemplary aspects of this invention provide a stroller including twohandle frames, two front legs and two rear legs that support thestroller in an upright position. Front legs are pivotally attached torespective rear legs. A chair portion, includes a back rest, a seat anda leg rest pivotally attached to the seat. Two pivot frames arepivotally attached to respective handle frames. The back rest and therear legs, two arm rests and two sliders are pivotally attached torespective pivot frames. The back rest, respective arm rests and theseat slide along the respective front legs. Wheels are rotationallyattached to the front legs and the rear legs.

Exemplary aspects of this invention provide a stroller including apre-load mechanism with a suspension pivotally attached to at least oneof the front and rear legs and supporting an axle of a wheel. Aresilient member, such as a spring, is attached at one end of thesuspension, and a cam is attached to another end of the resilient memberand pivots to compress the resilient member.

Exemplary aspects of this invention provide a lock release mechanismconfigured to retain the stroller in a rigid unfolded state when lockedand allow the stroller to be collapsed when released. The lock releasemechanism may include a two step release mechanism.

Exemplary aspects of this invention provide a stroller including armrests with an attachment portion to allow an item to be attached to thearm rests. The attachment portion may include for example, one of a slotor tab and an item to be attached may include the other of a slot or atab. The item to be attached may be a cup holder, a tray and/or a toy orany other suitable item.

Exemplary aspects of this invention include a pivot lock pivotallyconnected to a handle portion and a pivot lock lip, and a lip portionthat engages with the pivot lock lip to maintain the stroller in afolded state. The pivot lock may be a tray including a tray portion andarm portions and the lip portion may be located on a foot rest.

Exemplary aspects of this invention may include a seat belt tensionerfor a seat belt, wherein a back rest includes through-holes throughwhich a seat belt is passed. The belt is retained by a locking portionat one end and another end of the seat belt is attached to an undersideof the seat. When the folding chair is in a folded state, the lockingportion is pulled toward the back rest.

Exemplary aspects of this invention include a back rest with anadjustable incline so that when the folding chair is folded and unfoldedthe back rest is retained at its adjusted incline.

Exemplary aspects of the invention provide a method of folding astroller including two front legs and two rear legs that support thestroller in an upright position, two handle frames, and two first uppersliders that slide along respective handle frames, an upper X frameincluding two upper frame members pivotally connected to each other atrespective intermediate portions, each upper frame member pivotallyconnected to respective first upper sliders and to respective rear legs,two second lower sliders that slide along respective front legs, a lowerX frame member including two lower frame members pivotally connected toeach other at respective intermediate portions, each lower frame memberpivotally connected to respective second lower sliders and attached torespective rear legs, and two pivot frames linked to respective secondsliders and pivotally attached to respective rear legs. The methodincludes detaching the two lower frame members from respective rearlegs. A top portion of the handle frames is pivoted toward the front ofthe stroller. First upper sliders slide upward along respective handleframes and second lower sliders slide downward along respective frontlegs so that handle frames, front legs and rear legs becomesubstantially parallel. The upper frame member and the lower framemembers are collapsed about the respective intermediate pivot points sothat the two handle frames move toward each other, the two front legsmove toward each other and the two rear legs move toward each other.

Exemplary aspects of the invention provide a method of folding astroller including two handle frames, two front legs and two rear legsconfigured to support the stroller in an upright position, the frontlegs pivotally attached to respective rear legs, a chair portion,including a back rest, a seat and a leg rest pivotally attached to theseat, two pivot frames pivotally attached to respective handle frames,the back rest and the rear legs, two arm rests, and two sliderspivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respectivearm rests and the seat and configured to slide along the respectivefront legs. The method includes pivoting a top portion of the handleframes toward a front of the chair. The handle frames are pivoted towardthe front of the chair. The sliders slide downward along the leg. Therear legs are pivoted toward the front legs. The backrest is pivotedtoward the front of the chair and the leg rests toward a rear of thechair. The handle frames, the slider, the front and rear legs, thebackrest and the leg rest become substantially parallel in their lengthdirections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various example embodiments of the invention will be described indetail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is schematic side view of a first example embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the first example embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 1 when beginning to be placed in a folded state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the first example embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 1 in a folded state;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the first example embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 1 in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the first example embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 1 in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a second example embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the second example embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 6 when beginning to be placed in a folded state;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the second example embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 6 in a partially folded state;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a second example embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 6 in a completely folded state;

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the second example embodiment ofthe stroller of FIG. 6 in an unfolded state;

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of the second example embodiment ofthe stroller of FIG. 6 when beginning to be placed in a folded state;

FIG. 12 is a schematic detail of an arm rest according to an exampleembodiment of the invention including an attachment portion;

FIG. 13 is a schematic of a pivot lock according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematics of an arm rest including an abutmentportion according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematics of a pre-load mechanism according to anexample embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a rigid memory back according to an exampleembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a first example embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state. For purposes of clarity to showthe elements of the stroller, the sling seat portion of the stroller isnot shown in FIGS. 1-4. It should be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill that in the following description some components of the strollerare provided in pairs and are identically situated on each side of thestroller. One of ordinary skill should appreciate that although thefigures and following description are directed to a stroller thefeatures of the example embodiments may be utilized in any foldingchair.

Stroller 1 includes a handle portion 6 located at an end of a handleframe 9. At an end of handle frame 9 opposite from the handle 6, pivotframe 18 is rigidly attached. A portion of handle frame 9 protrudes pastpivot frame 18 and is pivotally connected to an end of rear leg 14. Anend of rear leg 14, opposite to the end pivotally connected to handleframe 9 has rear wheels 3 rotationally attached. An intermediate portionof rear leg 14 is pivotally attached to one end of front leg 12. An endof front leg 12, opposite to the end pivotally attached to rear leg 14has front wheels 2 rotationally attached.

Stroller 1 includes sliders 16A, 16B. Slider 16A is slidably attached tohandle frame 9. According to an example embodiment, slider 16A has acylindrical opening through which handle frame 9 is inserted so as to besurrounded by slider 16A. One of ordinary skill would readily appreciatethat slider 16A may be configured in any suitable manner to slide ormove relative to handle frame 9. In a non-limiting example, handle frame9 may be configured with a groove while slider 16A is configured with aslot or pin that slides within the groove of handle frame 9.

Slider 16A is pivotally attached to one end of frame members 50A, 50B ofupper X frame 50. Frame members 50A and 50B are pivotally attached toeach other at an intermediate connection point to form a substantially Xshaped frame when the stroller is in a completely unfolded state. Theend of frame members 50A, 50B, opposite to the end pivotally attached torespective slider 16A, is pivotally attached to an intermediate portionof respective rear leg 14.

Slider 16B is slidably attached to front leg 12. According to an exampleembodiment, slider 16B has a cylindrical opening through which front leg12 is inserted so as to be surrounded by slider 16B. As discussed withreference to slider 16A above, one of ordinary skill would readilyappreciate that slider 16B may be configured in any suitable manner toslide or move relative to front leg 12.

Slider 16B is pivotally connected to one end of side frame 8. An end ofside frame 8, opposite to the end connected to slider 16B, is pivotallyattached to pivot frame 18. Sling seat (not shown) may be attached to aslider 16A and 16B. An intermediate portion of side frame 8 is pivotallyconnected to lateral portion 19. Lateral portion 19 provides support fora seat portion of a seat disposed on stroller 1. Slider 16B is pivotallyconnected to one end of frame members 52A, 52B of lower X frame member.Frame members 52A and 52B are pivotally attached to each other at anintermediate connecting portion to form a substantially X shape when ina completely unfolded state. The end of each frame member 52A, 52Bopposite to the end pivotally connected to slider 16B is attached to anintermediate portion of rear leg 14, by leg support 54. In anon-limiting example, leg support 54 has grooves which in the completelyunfolded state of stroller 1 retain rear leg 14. One of ordinary skillwould readily appreciate the leg support 54 may have multipleconfigurations so long as leg support 54 may be attached to rear leg 14to maintain stroller 1 in a rigid state and to prevent the stroller frominadvertently moving to a folded state.

An operation to fold stroller 1 will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. Handle frame 9 is pivoted in a direction as shown byarrow D. By pivoting handle frame 9, pivot frame 18 rotates at its pivotpoint in a direction as shown by arrow E. Through its connection topivot frame 18, rear leg 14 pivots in a direction toward front wheels 2,as shown by arrow C. As rear legs 14 pivot, leg support 54 is allowed todisengage from rear legs 14. Leg support 54, when engaged with rear legs14 prevents frame members 52A, 52B from being collapsed toward eachother. When leg support 54 is disengaged from rear leg 14, frame members52A, 52B may be collapsed toward each other around their intermediateconnection point so that they move toward being substantially parallel.As frame members 52A and 52B collapse toward each other, the first andsecond halves of the stroller move toward each other to narrow the widthof the stroller.

As handle frame 9 is pivoted in a direction shown by arrow D, slider 16Atravels toward handle 6. Frame members 50A and 50B, pivotally attachedto slider 16A, collapse toward each other around their intermediateconnection point so they move toward being substantially parallel. Aspivot frame 18 pivots, slider 16B is pushed along front legs 12 towardfront wheels 2, through side frame 8 as shown by arrow B. As slider 16Bmoves toward front wheels 2, frame members 52A and 52B are collapsedtoward each other through their respective pivotal connection to slider16B.

In a completely folded state, as shown in FIG. 3, rear wheels 3 movetowards the front wheels 2 and are not located on opposites sides of thelength of the stroller as in the related art described above. Framemembers 50A, 50B are collapsed toward each other to reduce the width ofthe stroller 1. Front leg 12, rear leg 14, handle frame 9, back frame 8and lateral portion 19 become substantially parallel to provide a foldedstroller 1 which occupies a small volume of space in a length as well asin a width direction.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a second example embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state. Stroller 2 includes a handleportion 106 located at an end of handle frame 109. As shown in FIG. 13pivot lock 120 is pivotally attached to handle portion 106. According toan example embodiment, when stroller 2 is in the unfolded state, pivotlock 120 hangs with tray 121 in a substantially horizontal state. Tray121 may be provided in the form of a storage place such as a cup holder.Pivot lock 120 includes pivot lock lip 146. When stroller 2 is placed ina completely folded state, the pivot lock 120 is pivoted so that thepivot lock lip 146 engages with a corresponding lip 144 located on alower lateral portion of foot rest 104. By engaging pivot lock lip 146with lip 144, the stroller 2 may be prevented from becoming unfolded.

At an end of the handle frame 109 opposite from the handle 106, pivotframe 118 is rigidly attached. Rear leg 114 is pivotally attached topivot frame 118 at one end. At an opposite end of rear leg 114 rearwheels 103 are rotationally attached. Back rest 108 is pivotallyattached to front leg 112. Slider 116 is pivotally attached to pivotframe 118. An intermediate portion of slider 116 is pivotally attachedto seat 107. An end of the slider 116 that is opposite to the endpivotally attached to the pivot frame 118 is slidably attached to frontleg 112. According to an example embodiment, slider 116 has acylindrical opening which surrounds front leg 112 and slides over frontleg 112. However, one of ordinary skill would appreciate that slider 116may have multiple configurations to slide relative to front leg 112.

Seat 107 includes two parallel lateral portions 119. One end of lateralportion 119 is pivotally attached to leg rest 105. An intermediateportion of lateral portion 119 is pivotally connected to an intermediateportion of slider 116. An end of lateral portion 119 opposite to the endattached to leg rest 105 is pivotally attached to an intermediateportion of rear leg 114.

Front leg 112 is attached at one end to foot rest 104 and at an oppositeend to rear leg 114 at an end of rear leg 114 that is opposite to theend that rear wheel 103 is attached to. The front wheels 102 may berotationally attached to front leg 112.

An operation to fold stroller 2 will be described with reference toFIGS. 7-9. As shown in FIG. 9, lock release 124 is located to becentered on the handle portion 106. Lock release 124 includes a two steprelease mechanism. The first step, for example, a push button, allowsthe second step, for example, two spring loaded squeeze buttons, to beurged toward each other to release latch 122. When latch 122 is releasedstroller 2 is able to be folded. It should be noted that a releasemechanism is required under common safety standards. When latch 122 isin a latched position the stroller may maintain rigidity when in anunfolded state and accidental folding of the stroller when in use may beprevented.

Once the latch 122 has been released from a latched position, thestroller 2 may be folded. Handle frame 109 is pivoted toward the frontof the stroller in a direction shown by arrow F in FIG. 7. Handle frame109 is rigidly connected to pivot frame 118. Thus, pivot frame 118 willalso pivot forward as a result of handle frame 109 being pivoted forwardas shown by arrow H. As pivot frame 118 is pivoted forward, slider 116is urged forward through its pivotal connection to pivot frame 118. Asshown by arrow I, slider 116 will slide forward along front leg 112.Slider 116 is pivotally connected at an intermediate portion to lateralportion 119, which in turn is pivotally connected to rear leg 114. Asslider 116 slides forward along front leg 112, rear leg 114 is pulledforward, as shown by arrow J, via lateral portion 119. Back rest 118,which is pivotally connected to front leg 112 also pivots forward. Legrest 105 is pivotally connected to wire link 160. Wire link 160 ispivotally attached to front leg 112.

As handle frame 109 continues to pivot forward, the slider 116 slidesalong the remaining length of front leg 112. As shown in FIG. 9, in afolded position, handle frame 109, slider 116, front leg 112, lateralportion 119 and rear leg 114 are substantially parallel to each otheralong a length portion of each resulting in a folded chair that occupiesa small volume of space, is easy to handle, transport and store.

As shown in FIG. 13 when stroller 2 is in a folded state, pivot lock 120is pivoted around handle 106 so that pivot lock lip 146 engages with lip144 located on foot rest 104. As discussed above this prevents thestroller 2 from becoming unfolded.

Arm rest 111 is pivotally attached to slider 116 at one end. As slider116 slides forward along front leg 112, arm rest 111 pivots towardslider 116. In a folded state arm rest 111 is substantially parallelwith slider 116 along the length portion of each. At an end of arm rest111 opposite the end pivotally attached to the slider, there may beprovided an arm rest accessory 140 which may be detachable from arm rest111. The accessory may be attached to the arm rest 111 in any suitablemanner. In an example embodiment shown in FIG. 12, arm rest 111 isprovided with a slot 142 through which arm rest accessory 140, shown asa cup holder in FIG. 12 is attached. One of ordinary skill wouldrecognize that arm rest accessory 140 may be configured in any suitablemanner, such as for example, a tray provided with slots for each armrest 111. Arm rest 111 includes an abutment portion 115 which abutsagainst pivot frame 118 or in another example embodiment against handleframe 9.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a pre-load mechanism 180 may be providedto adjust the ride characteristics of the stroller depending upon theweight of the object or person placed upon the stroller or a desiredcomfort level. Pre-load mechanism 180 includes a casing 181 with ahollow interior. Resilient member 182 is mounted to be compressiblewithin the casing 181 via cam 183 which includes an abutment surface 184which abuts one end of resilient member 182. Cam 183 has a pivot handle187 which is used to pivot cam 183 to compress or decompress resilientmember 182. An end of resilient member 182, opposite the end that abutsabutment surface 184 of cam 183 is fixed to an intermediate portion ofsuspension 185. Suspension 185 is pivotally attached at substantiallyone end to rear leg 114 and at an opposite end to rear axle 186 whichsupports rear wheels 103.

An operation of the pre-load mechanism 180 will now be described. In anunloaded state, resilient member 182 is not compressed by action of cam183. Forces operating on rear wheels 103 are transmitted via axle 186 tosuspension 185 which pivots about its pivotal connection with rear leg114. Resilient member 182 applies a load to suspension 185 which absorbsthe forces operating on rear wheels 103 so they are not transmitted toan occupant of the stroller 2 to cause an uncomfortable ride. As anoccupant of stroller 2 becomes heavier, resilient member 182 in itsuncompressed state may be inadequate to absorb the forces acting on rearwheels 103. By lifting handle 187, cam 183 pivots and abutment portion184 compresses resilient member 182. In a compressed state, resilientmember 182 may absorb forces acting on rear wheels 103 for a heavierload.

Seat 107, backrest 108 and leg rest 105 together provide the seatportion for an occupant of the stroller. Leg rest 105 is pivotallyattached to seat 107. Backrest 108 is pivotally attached to front leg112. Thus, the sitting position is configured in separate sections whichmay be foldable relative to each other.

Backrest 108 includes through-holes 136. Because seat 107, backrest 108and leg rest 105 are configured in separate sections, gaps 134 areformed between each section. Belt 130 is provided to retain an occupantof stroller 2 for safety purposes. Belt 130 includes belt lock 132 tofix the belt to retain an occupant. Belt 130 passes to a rear side ofbackrest 108 via through-holes 136 and then is passed under the backrest108 and fixed to an underside of seat 107. As the stroller 2 is moved toa folded state, belt 130 is pulled taught by a movement of seat 107.Belt 130 is pulled from the rear of through-holes 136. Belt 130 isprevented from completely passing through through-holes 136 by belt lock132, which is made larger than the through-holes 136. In a folded state,belt lock 132 is held against backrest 108 and prevented from fallingbetween gaps 134. If belt lock 132 falls into gaps 134 it could becomedamaged due to compression between the folded portions of the stroller.

Backrest 108 includes a rigid memory back feature which providesbackrest 108 with a set incline in an unfolded state, that after thestroller is folded and unfolded, maintains the backrest in thepreviously set incline. Backrest 108 includes a recline pivot bar 90which supports backrest 108 from the rear. Recline pivot bar 90 passesthrough flanges 91A, 91B located to protrude rearwardly from backrest108. Flanges 91A, 91B are provided with through-holes which includeadjustment grooves 92. Recline pivot bar 90 is biased via a resilientmember to engage with grooves 92 to provide recline positions forbackrest 108. Recline pivot bar 90 passes through flanges 91A, 91B andis pivotally attached to pivot frame 118 and an end of link 93. Anotherend of link 93, opposite to the end attached to recline pivot bar 90 ispivotally attached to an intermediate portion of slider 116. As pivotframe 118 pivots and slider 116 moves along front leg 112, backrest 108pivots while recline pivot bar 90 remains in engagement with a selectedadjustment groove 92. In a folded state recline pivot bar 90 remainsengaged with the selected adjustment groove 92. When stroller 2 isreturned to an unfolded state recline pivot bar 90 is still engaged withthe selected adjustment groove 92 to provide the rigid memory backfeature.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with exemplaryembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternative,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of this invention, as setforth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A folding chair, comprising: two handle frames; two front legs andtwo rear legs to support the chair in an upright position, the frontlegs pivotally attached to respective rear legs; a chair portion,including a back rest, a seat, and a leg rest pivotally attached to theseat; two pivot frames pivotally attached to the back rest and the rearlegs and rigidly attached to respective handle frames; and two sliderspivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, and theseat, and the two sliders slide along the respective front legs.
 2. Thefolding chair according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock releasemechanism to retain the folding chair in a rigid unfolded state whenlocked and allow the chair to be collapsed when released.
 3. The foldingchair according to claim 2, further comprising: wheels rotationallyattached to the front legs; and wheels rotationally attached to the rearlegs.
 4. The folding chair according to claim 3, further comprising: apreload mechanism including a suspension pivotally attached to at leastone of the front and rear legs to support an axle of one of the wheels;a resilient member attached at one end to the suspension; and a camattached to another end of the resilient member, and the cam is pivotedto compress and decompress the resilient member.
 5. The folding chairaccording to claim 2, wherein the lock release mechanism includes a twostep release mechanism.
 6. The folding chair according to claim 1,further comprising: two arm rests each attached to a respective one ofthe two sliders.
 7. The folding chair according to claim 6, wherein thearm rests are configured to include an attachment portion opposite anend attached to the sliders to allow an item to be attached to the armrests.
 8. The folding chair according to claim 7, wherein the attachmentportion includes one of a slot or tab and an item to be attachedincludes the other of a slot or a tab.
 9. The folding chair according toclaim 7, wherein the item to be attached is at least one of a cupholder, a tray, or a toy.
 10. The folding chair according to claim 6,wherein the arm rests include an abutment portion and a pivotingportion.
 11. The folding chair according to claim 1, further comprising:a pivot lock pivotally connected to at least one of the handle framesand including a pivot lock lip; and a lip portion to engage with thepivot lock lip to maintain the chair in a folded state.
 12. The foldingchair according to claim 11, wherein the pivot lock is a tray includinga tray portion and arm portions and the lip portion is located on a footrest.
 13. The folding chair according to claim 1, further comprising: aseat tensioner including a seat belt, wherein the back rest includesthrough-holes through which a seat belt is passed, the seat belt isretained by a locking portion at one end, another end of the seat beltis attached to an underside of the seat and pulls a lock portion towardthe back rest when the folding chair is in a folded state.
 14. Thefolding chair according to claim 1, wherein the back rest includes arigid memory so that when the backrest is in a selected incline positionwhen the folding chair is in an unfolded state, and after the foldingchair is folded and unfolded, the backrest is retained in the selectedincline position.
 15. The folding chair according to claim 14, whereinthe backrest includes two flange portions, a plurality of grooves formedtherethrough, a recline pivot bar to support the backrest, the reclinepivot bar being biased to be retained in the grooves.
 16. A method offolding a chair including two handle frames, two front legs and two rearlegs to support the chair in an upright position, the front legspivotally attached to respective rear legs, a chair portion, including aback rest, a seat, and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat, twopivot frames pivotally attached to respective handle frames, the backrest, and the rear legs, and two sliders pivotally attached torespective pivot frames, the back rest, and the seat, and the twosliders slide along the respective front legs, the method comprising:pivoting a top portion of the handle frames toward a front of the chair;pivoting the handle frames toward the front of the chair; sliding thesliders downward along the respective front legs; pivoting the rear legstoward the front legs; and pivoting the back rest toward the front ofthe chair and the leg rest toward a rear of the chair, wherein thehandle frames, the slider, the front and rear legs, the back rest, andthe leg rest become substantially parallel in their length directions.